obstruct

[ uhb-struhkt ]

/ əbˈstrʌkt /

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See synonyms for: obstruct / obstructed / obstructing / obstructive on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to block or close up with an obstacle; make difficult to pass: Debris obstructed the road.

to interrupt, hinder, or oppose the passage, progress, course, etc., of.

to block from sight; to be in the way of (a view, passage, etc.).

OTHER WORDS FOR obstruct

1 stop, choke, clog.

2 hinder, impede, prevent, check, slow, retard, arrest.

See synonyms for obstruct on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR obstruct

2 encourage, further.

See antonyms for obstruct on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of obstruct

First recorded in 1605–15, obstruct is from the Latin word obstructus (past participle of obstruere “to build or pile up in the way, bar”); see ob-, construct

OTHER WORDS FROM obstruct

ob·struct·ed·ly, adverbob·struct·er, ob·struc·tor, nounob·struct·ing·ly, adverbob·struc·tive, adjective

pre·ob·struct, verb (used with object)un·ob·struct·ed, adjective

Words nearby obstruct

obstetrics, obstinacy, obstinate, obstipation, obstreperous, obstruct, obstruction, obstructionist, obstructive, obstruent, obtain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use obstruct in a sentence

Though there is no easy path to a title, the 76ers must figure out the ways they’ve obstructed their own.
Can The Sixers Find A Way To Win It All With Embiid And Simmons?|James L. Jackson|September 28, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Aaron Hayward was charged with felonious assault, three counts of assault, aggravated menacing, failure to comply with a police order, three counts of resisting arrest, criminal damaging and obstructing official business.
The Startling Reach and Disparate Impact of Cleveland Clinic’s Private Police Force|by David Armstrong|September 28, 2020|ProPublica
Of course, it’s a little bit difficult when he’s been obstructed at every turn by the left and by the right.
Full Transcript: Tomi Lahren on ‘The Carlos Watson Show’|Daniel Malloy|August 31, 2020|Ozy
If you attach your taillight to your seatpost or seatstays, be sure it’s not being obstructed by a saddlebag or your tire.
What You Need to Know About Bike Lights|Aaron Rickel|August 26, 2020|Outside Online

In order to eliminate obstructed seating and add layers of revenue-generating suites and club levels, many seats in modern stadiums have been pushed further up and away from the playing surface.
MLB’s Newest Ballpark Is A Shift Away From Retro-Era Stadiums|Travis Sawchik|July 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
He gave money to a group seeking to obstruct equality for gay people.
In Gay Rights Fights, Bullies Love to Play the Victim|Tim Teeman|April 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The first filibuster took place in 1837 and then became an increasingly employed strategy to obstruct the passage of legislation.
Senate Democrats Didn’t Go Far Enough to Kill the Filibuster|Dean Obeidallah|November 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Merkley said that the power of minority to obstruct judicial nominations had really been ended in that standoff.
The Filibuster Fight Ain’t Over|Ben Jacobs|November 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It's not much different from what they've done, or haven't done, all along: obstruct Obama.
The Obama Scandals Are Desperate Measures by the GOP|Robert Shrum|May 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And the very political forces that you are trying to end run would rise up and obstruct at every turn.
Should People Be Forced to Buy Liability Insurance for their Guns?|Megan McArdle|December 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Dalton was passed without difficulty, and beyond we stopped again to cut wires and to obstruct the track.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
All B—— turned out, but did not obstruct my view, for I was at the large first-floor window and not ten yards away.
A Thin Ghost and Others|M. R. (Montague Rhodes) James
Some qualities favour, others obstruct the realisation of a first conception.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
The bib must not extend too far into the lead pipe or it will obstruct the flow of water.
Elements of Plumbing|Samuel Dibble
The branch should not extend into the run of pipe enough to obstruct the bore of it.
Elements of Plumbing|Samuel Dibble

British Dictionary definitions for obstruct

obstruct

/ (əbˈstrʌkt) /

verb (tr)

to block (a road, passageway, etc) with an obstacle

to make (progress or activity) difficult

to impede or block a clear view of

Derived forms of obstruct

obstructor, nounobstructive, adjective, nounobstructively, adverbobstructiveness, noun

Word Origin for obstruct

C17: Latin obstructus built against, past participle of obstruere, from ob- against + struere to build

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

obstruct

OTHER WORDS FOR obstruct

OPPOSITES FOR obstruct

Origin of obstruct

OTHER WORDS FROM obstruct

Words nearby obstruct

Words related to obstruct

How to use obstruct in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obstruct

Derived forms of obstruct

Word Origin for obstruct